Automatic fastener setting machine



Aug. 2, 1966 A. E. DEMEREST ETAL 3,263,837

AUTOMATIC FASTENER SETTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb 17, 1965 g- 1966 A. E. DEMEREST ETAL 3,263,887

AUTOMATIC FASTENER SETTING MACHINE v 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fxled Feb. 17, 1965 Aug. 2, 1966 A. E. DEMEREST ETAL 3,263,387

AUTOMATIC FASTENER SETTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 17, 1965 d5 Mb T? A1 M2. mi

E 3 C 2K L L? mm Q1 i a i 3m hh\ ow 5m LT 11 w\ m u. &1 g m 3 United States Patent AUTOMATIC FASTENER SETTING MACHINE Arnold E. Demerest and Samuel Wulwick, Middletown,

and Salvador Martinez, Cedarhurst, N.Y., assignors to Scovill Manufacturing Company, Waterbury, C0nn., a

corporation of Connecticut Filed Feb. 17, 1965, Ser. No. 433,412 11 Claims. (Cl. 2273) This invention relates to an automatic fastener setting machine, and more particularly to an improved machine for automatically setting a plurality of fasteners along the edge of a garment.

Various types of gauges have been devised for setting a limited number of fasteners on a garment when the machine is put in operation. Such gauge devices are limited in their field of utility and are usually quite complicated and clumsy in operation.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved setting machine capable of automatically setting in rapid sequence any desired number of fasteners which may be required for any garment or the like, and with any desired spacing.

A further object is to provide such an improved fastener setting machine which is capable of being attached to and operated with any conventional machine normally employed in the setting of one fastener at a time. The machine is particularly useful in the setting of snap fastener elements along the edge of a garment utilizing a standard basic machine, such as Model 41B produced by Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut. An early example of such a machine is disclosed in the patent to Warner et a1. 1,499,270, dated June 25, 1924.

According to the invention, it is only necessary for the operator to place the garment in proper position at the setting station for the setting of the first fastener and operate the foot switch to start the setting cycle. Upon the operation of the foot switch, the garment is automatically clamped and the one-revolution machine clutch is engaged which will move the ram a complete downward and return stroke. At the completion of the down stroke and the setting of a fastener, the invention provides means which are automatically set in operation for moving the garment clamping device the required distance for locating the garment in proper position for setting of the next fastener, and at that time, automatic means will operate in response to movement of the garment clamping device for re-engaging the machine clutch and repeating the operation until any desired number of fasteners have been set. When this is done, the garment is released and the clamping device is returned to the original position ready for receiving another garment.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings, we have shown for purposes of illustration, one embodiment which the invention may assume in practice. In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view, with parts in section, of our improved fastener setting machine;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detail of the carriage guide; and

FIG. 5 is the wiring diagram of the essential electrical apparatus employed in our improved machine.

Since the basic apparatus for setting each fastener is conventional, it is indicated only partially and diagrammatically.

As shown, such a machine includes a pedestal 6 which supports the usual fastener setting machine F having a 3,263,887 Patented August 2, 1966 head 7 carrying the reciprocating ram 8. The bottom end of this ram carries a suitable upper setting die to co-operate with a lower setting die on the stationary post 9. The ram 8 is operated by conventional means including a drive belt 10, a pulley or fly wheel 11, a drive shaft I12 and a standard one-revolution clutch 13. This clutch is activated for one complete revolution upon energization of solenoid S1 through a suitable linkage connection 14. On the right end of the drive shaft 12, as seen in FIG. 1, is mounted a cam 15 which will be more fully described later.

The garment or cloth C is indicated in position at the attaching station for the attachment of the first snap fastener. A suitable supporting plate 16 may be attached to the machine for supporting the cloth C.

- The pedestal 6 is formed with a table top 6a on which is supported the setting machine F. The machine has a base flange 17 on which is secured a bar 18 extending forwardly of the machine and to which is welded one end of a long support bar 19 extending to the left of the machine, as seen in FIG. 1. Fastened to this support bar 19 is a long track-carrying flat plate 20 which extends to a point adjacent the attaching station. The track itself may be said to consist of two undercut bars 21 and 22 which can be held on the plate 20 by suitable screws. The carriage 23 has a base 24 sliding on the top surfaces of bars 21 and 22, and has a T-shaped guide 25 (see FIG. 4) fixed to the underside of the base 24. This T- shaped guide rides in the guideway provided by the undercut bars 21 and 22 and at each end of the T-shaped guide, there is a narrow extension 26 to which are attached the end links 27' and 28 of the carriage drive chain 29.

At the forward end of the carriage is a cloth-clamping device consisting of the fixed jaw 30 land the movable jaw 31 which is actuated by solenoid S3 also mounted on the carriage. The jaws are normally held clamped by a spring 32 and opened by the pull of the solenoid S3 when it is energized. The carriage is driven by a reversible motor M2 through a clutch (not shown), belt 33, pulleys 34 and 34a and a sprocket 35 which engages in the links of the chain 29. The chain extends from end link 27 attached to the carriage guide 25, downwardly around the end of the track, over an idler roller 36, upwardly and around the drive sprocket 35 and roller 37 at the upper end of the track guide and back to the end link 28 connected to the carriage guide 25. The carriage drive clutch is controlled by a solenoid C1 so that the clutch is engaged when the solenoid is energized, and in order to provide a quick stopping of the carriage, there may be provided a brake (not shown) and this brake may be mounted on the shaft carrying the sprocket 35 and controlled by solenoid S2, the arrangement being such that the brake is released when its solenoid is energized.

A stationary cantilever support 106 is secured to the pedestal 6 and a plate 107 fastened to the end of the support 106 carrier the motor M2. Extending upwardly from the plate 107 is bracket 108 which connects to a plate 109 to support the lower end of the plate 20 and track bars 21 and 22. Plate 109 may extend rearwardly of the plate 20, as seen in FIG. 3, and carry a rear bearing for the shaft 135 and pulley 34a.

A cutout switch for the carriage motor and clutch control circuits is held open when the carriage is in its returned position or starting position, as indicated in FIG. 1. This switch is designated LS3 and as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, may be attached to the long stationary plate 20 by a suitable bracket 38. This switch is normally closed at all times when the carriage is away from its starting position and is held open at the latter position by a screw 39 in an extension 40 of the carriage. This switch is preferably located on the rear side of the track.

Secured along the upper edge of the track support plate 20 is a series of switch control members, herein called the pins 41. These pins are horizontal extensions from U-shaped brackets 42 which are adjustably held in the desired positions by thumb screws 43. On the carriage, there is a switch operating roller 44 which operates to close a switch LS1 in the carriage when the roller strikes one of the pins 41, it being understood that the switch LS1 will open again when the roller passes over each pin 41, and for this reason it is sometimes herein called a trigger switch. This switch LS1 controls a relay circuit which will be more fully described in reference to the wiring diagram.

The carriage also mounts a reversing switch LS2 under the control of a lever 45, and in the path of this lever there is mounted an adjustable actuator or stop 46 which is also clamped to the track supporting plate 20.

The pins 41 will be adjusted along the plate 20 in accordance with the desired spacing of fasteners on the garment, and the number of fasteners which may be set on any garment or the like is limited only by the length of track and number of pins 41.

The frame of the machine will mount a suitable panel for housing the relays which will be referred to in connection with the wiring diagram, but this panel is not shown in the drawings.

A switch box 47 contains three switches controlled by the cam 15 on the drive shaft 12. This can be done by means of a suitable stem 48 carrying a follower 49 in contact with the peripheral surface of the cam 15.

In the wiring diagram, it is assumed that the machine motor (not shown) is running and ready to operate the machine when the machine clutch 13 is engaged. The relay contacts and switches are shown with the machine stopped and the carriage in returned or starting position, and with the latch-in relay in position after the reverse coil has actuated it to reverse position.

In this standby position, when power is being supplied to the lines L1 and L2 and the machine motor is operated constantly, the carriage will be in the returned position, holding open the switch LS3. The latch-in relay will be in the reverse position or if for any reason, it is not, then the reverse side RRL of the latch-in relay may be energized from line L1 and connecting wire 52 by pressing the carriage reset switch 53. The cloth unclamp solenoid S3 is energized through connection 54, normally closed contacts RL1 of relay RL, closed foot switch 55, lines 56, 57 and 58, closed contacts RRLl back to L2. When solenoid S3 is energized, the clamping jaws 30 and 31 are open. Brake release solenoid S2 is energized through the line 59 and normally closed contacts RLZ of relay RL. When S2 is energized, the carriage motor brake is released. Solenoid C1 is tie-energized so as to disengage the clutch between the carriage motor M2 and carriage drive.

To initiate the operation, the foot switch FS is depressed which opens switch 55 and closed switch 60. Opening of switch 55 breaks the circuit through cloth unclamp solenoid S3 which is thus de-energized allowing the clamp to close and hold the end of the garment. The closing of switch 60 completes the circuit through the machine clutch solenoid S1, from line L1, through wire 61, switch 60 and back to L2 through lines 58 and closed cont-acts RRLl.

When the clutch solenoid S1 is thus tripped, the main shaft 12 will automatically make one complete turn to operate the ram 8 down and up. This will turn the cam 15 from the position shown in the wiring diagram until the ram comes down and sets a fastener, at which time, the high section of the cam will act on the switch control arm. This will operate to close the switch 62, close switch 63 and open switch 64. Switch 63 completes a circuit through wires 65 and 66 to the forward side of FRL of the'latch-in relay, which at the. same time, deenergizes the reverse side RRL because the forward and reverse sides are coupled together, The length of the high section of the cam determines the period of time that the switches 62 and 63 remain closed and switch 64 open. 7

When the latch-in relay is thus shifted to the forward position, contacts FRL2 will close, contacts FRL3 will open, RRL2 will open and RRL3 will close. This completes a circuit to supply power to the carriage motor M2 from line L1 through wire 59, closed contacts RL2, wire 68, contacts FRLZ, wire 69, wire 88, field coil 70, wire 71, contacts RRL3, Wire 72, armature 73, wire.74, wire 75, switch 62 which is now closed, wire 76, contacts FRL4 of the forward side of the latch-in relay and back to L2. As soon as the carriage moves away from its start position switch LS3 will automatically close so as to maintain power to the carriage motor M2 through wires 77 and 74, even if the switch 62 opens.

At the proper time during the up-stroke of the ram 8, switches 62, 63 and 64 return to their original position as shown in the wiring diagram when the controlling arm of the switches rides on to the low part of the cam.

When the switch 62 was closed at the end of the downstroke of the ram, the clutch solenoid C1 was energized to engage the motor M2 to the carriage drive. This circuit is from line L, wire 7 8, closed contacts RL3 of relay RL, through wire 75, switch 62, wire 76 and contacts FRL4 which are now closed, or the circuit may be completed through wire 77 and switch LS3 when the latter is closed. The carriage now moves down track to advance the cloth or garment to the next setting station. The distance of this feed is determined by the spacing of the pins 41 along the carriage track. When the switch LS1 hits the first one of the pins, the switch is closed for a period of time enough to activate relay RL, the circuit being completed through wires 80, switch 64 which is now closed, wire 76 and contacts FRL4 to L2. This relay RL accomplishes "four things:

(a) It opens contacts RL2 to de-energize brake solenoid S2 which causes the brake to be set.

(b) It opens contacts RL3 to de-energize solenoid C1 to disconnect carriage motor M2 from the carriage drive.

(0) It opens contacts RL1 in the solenoid S3 circuit so that the cloth remains clamped even when foot switch 55 is closed and when contacts RL4 are simultaneously closed (it being understood that the contacts RRLl are open).

(d) It closes contacts RLS to re-establish current to the machine clutch solenoid S1 through wires 85, 61, 57, contacts RL4 which are now closed, back to L2.

This trips the machine clutch 13 which again makes one complete revolution and the cycle is repeated until the desired number of fasteners are set. When the carriage 23 reaches the end of its travel, after the setting of the last fastener on the garment, the switch LS2 is automatically closed by the actuator or stop 46 to effect return movement of the carriage. This is done by energizing the reverse side RRL of the latch-in relay, the circuit being established through Wire 52, switch LS2 and wire 86. When the position of the latch-in relay is thus changed, the forward side FRL will be de-energized and the positions of all contacts FRL2, FRL3, RRLI, RRL2 and RRL3 reversed. The closing of contacts RRLl energizes the cloth unclamp solenoid S3 to allow the operator to remove the garment.

The motor M2 will now operate in reverse with the current in the field being in the reverse direction through wires 59 and 68, contacts FRL3, wires 87 and 71, field 70, line 88, contacts RRL2, line 72, armature 73, line 74, line 77 and switch LS3 back to L2. When the carriage is in its full return position, switch LS3 is mechanically openedby the carriage to disconnect the carriage motor. Then another garment may be put in place and the entire operation again initiated by the foot switch.

The terms garment and cloth have been used herein for the sake of convenience, but it will be understood that the invention is equally applicable to any situation where it is desired to set a plurality of fasteners upon any kind of an article.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for attaching a plurality of fasteners to a garment or the like, the combination of (a) a machine head and means including a reciprocable ram co-operable therewith at a setting station to set a fastener when the ram descends;

(b) a one-revolution clutch arranged to operate said ram through one complete down and up cycle each time the clutch is activated;

(c) means for gripping said garment;

(d) power-operated means for moving said gripping means to move the garment relative to said setting station;

(e) means operating in timed relation to the movement of said ram for setting said power-operated means in motion immediately after the setting of a fastener;

(f) means for automatically stopping said gripping means after it has moved a pre-determined distance to advance the garment into proper position for the setting of the succeeding fastener; and

(g) means automatically responsive to movement of said gripping means to the position for setting of such succeeding fastener, for re-activating said clutch.

2. In a machine for attaching a plurality of fasteners to a garment or the like, the combination of (a) a machine head and means including a reciprocable ram co-operable therewith at a setting station to set a fastener when the ram descends;

(b) a one-revolution clutch arranged to operate said ram through one complete down-and-up cycle each time the clutch is activated;

(c) a machine clutch solenoid for activating said clutch when energized;

(d) a carriage having means to grip said garment to move the garment relative to said setting station;

(e) power-operated means for moving said carriage;

(f) a guide for said carriage;

(g) a circuit control device on said carriage and a plurality of stationary spaced controlling members in the path of said circuit control device; and

(h) means automatically responsive to the actuation of said circuit control device by each of said controlling members for stopping said carriage and for re-energizing said machine clutch solenoid.

3. The combination defined in claim 2, wherein the automatically responsive means of clause (h) includes a carriage drive clutch, and a second solenoid for effecting disengagement of said carriage drive clutch when deenergized upon actuation of said circuit control device.

4. In a machine for attaching a plurality of fasteners to a garment or the like, the combination of (a) a machine head and means including a reciprocable ram co-operable therewith at a setting station to set a fastener when the ram descends;

(b) a one-revolution clutch arranged to operate said ram through one complete down-and-up cycle each time the clutch is activated;

(0) a machine clutch solenoid for activating said clutch when energized;

(d) a carriage having means to grip said garment to move the garment relative to said setting station;

(e) a guide for said carriage;

(f) a carriage drive motor;

(g) drive means between said carriage drive motor and carriage including -a carriage drive clutch;

(h) a second solenoid which when energized, effects engagement of said carriage drive clutch;

(i) switch means mechanically connected to said ram for completing a circuit to said carriage drive motor and also for energizing said second solenoid upon completion of a down stroke of the ram; and

(j) means automatically controlled by movement of said carriage a pre-detennined distance for stopping the carriage movement and re-energizing said machine clutch solenoid.

5. The combination defined in claim 4, wherein the automatic control means of clause (1') includes a circuit control device on said carriage and a plurality of pins in the path of said control device and spaced in accordance with the desired spacing of fasteners on a garment.

6. The combination defined in claim 4, together with (k) means for automatically operating said gripping means to release the garment after a pre-determined number of fasteners have been set.

7. The combination defined in claim 4, together with (k) means for automatically operating said gripping means to release the garment after a pre-determined number of fasteners have been set; and

(1) means for then automatically returning the carriage to its starting position.

8. The combination defined in claim 5, wherein the carriage drive motor is of the reversible type and where there is further provided circuit control means for reversing said motor including a second circuit control device on said carriage and an actuator for said second circuit control device, said actuator being located in fixed relation to the carriage guide to cause reversal of the carriage drive motor after the last of said plurality of fasteners has been set.

9. The combination defined in claim 4 wherein said carriage drive motor is of the reversible type and wherein there are further included (k) means for etfeeting operation of said motor in reverse after the last of the plurality of fasteners has been set on a garment; and

(l) a cut-off switch in the carriage motor circuit which is automatically actuated to open position by the carriage when it returns to starting position to cut off power to the carriage motor.

10. The combination defined in claim 9, wherein there is further provided parallel circuit means for supplying power to said carriage motor and an operator-controlled switch for initially closing said parallel circuit means until said cut-off switch is again closed by movement of said carriage away from its starting position.

11. In a machine for attaching a plurality of fasteners to a garment or the like, the combination of (a) a machine head and means including a reciprocable ram co-operable therewith at a setting station to set a fastener when the ram descends;

(b) a one-revolution clutch arranged to operate said ram through one complete down-and-up cycle each time the clutch is activated;

(c) a machine clutch solenoid for activating said clutch when energized;

(d) a carriage having means to grip said garment to move the garment relative to said setting station;

(e) a guide for said carriage;

(f) a reversible carriage motor;

(g) drive means between said motor and carriage to advance the carriage along said guide when the motor is operating in the forward direction and to return said carriage when the motor is operated in reverse including a carriage drive clutch;

(h) a second solenoid which when energized, effects engagement of said carriage drive clutch;

(i) a first switch means mechanically connected to said head to supply current to said carriage motor for operating it in the forward direction and for simultaneously energizing said second solenoid upon completion of a down stroke of the head and the setting of a fastener;

(j) an additional switch in said first switch means which closes during the up stroke of said head;

7 8 (k) a relay energized by a circuit which includes said (u) switch means operated upon activating said relay additional switch; to de-energize said second solenoid to disengage the (1) :a triggerswitch mounted on said carriage and concarriage drive and to supply current to said machine nected in said relay energizing circuit; clutch solenoid for again setting said one-revolution (in) means for operating said trigger switch for activ- 5 machine clutch in operation.

ating said relay including pins attached to said carriage guide and spaced apart in accordance with the desired spacing of fasteners on the garment; and GRANVILLE Y. CUSTER, 1a., Primary Examiner.

No references cited. 

1. IN A MACHINE FOR ATTACHING A PLURALITY OF FASTENERS TO A GARMENT OR THE LIKE, THE COMBINATION OF (A) A MACHINE HEAD AND MEANS INCLUDING A RECIPROCABLE RAM CO-OPERABLE THEREWITH AT A SETTING STATION TO SET A FASTENER WHEN THE RAM DESCENDS; (B) A ONE-REVOLUTION CLUTCH ARRANGED TO OPERATE SAID RAM THROUGH ONE COMPLETE DOWN AND UP CYCLE EACH TIME THE CLUTCH IS ACTIVATED; (C) MEANS FOR GRIPPING SAID GARMENT; (D) POWER-OPERATED MEANS FOR MOVING SAID GRIPPING MEANS TO MOVE THE GARMENT RELATIVE TO SAID SETTING STATION; (E) MEANS OPERATING IN TIMED RELATION TO THE MOVEMENT OF SAID RAM FOR SETTING SAID POWER-OPERATED MEANS IN MOTION IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SETTING OF A FASTENER; (F) MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY STOPPING SAID GRIPPING MEANS AFTER IT HAS MOVED A PRE-DETERMINE DISTANCE TO ADVANCE THE GARMENT INTO PROPER POSITION FOR THE SETTING OF THE SUCCEEDING FASTENER; AND (G) MEANS AUTOMATICALLY RESPONSIVE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID GRIPPING MEANS TO THE POSITION FOR SETTING OF SUCH SUCCEEDING FASTENER, FOR RE-ACTIVATING SAID CLUTCH. 